Get The Post-Challenge Workbook
Keep writing,
Julie
2023 Day 32 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
2023 Day 22 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
2023 Day 12 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Everything is material…when you’re a writer. Also: my theory about why it’s a good thing for humanity that we are writing instead of doing…other things….
Keep writing,
Julie
2023 Day 11Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
2023 Day 10 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
And again, the best laid plans o’mice and men, as my buddy Rabbie Burns used to say…
Keep writing,
Julie
2023 Day 9 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
2023 Day 8 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Week 1 is a wrap!
Today I was pretty happy with the very short story I wrote. When I got to the end I discovered something interesting, which I share in this video.
Also: now’s a great time to assess what went well last week and what you’ll keep/do differently during this coming week of the challenge (I talk about this, too, in this video)
Keep writing,
Julie
2023 Day 7 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Week 1 is a wrap!
Today I wrote badly and learned some things. I also got to hangout with the StoryADay Superstars and talk about writing, and it was moving, and inspired.
Hey you: if you’re reading this and writing at all: you’re pretty unusual and you’re pretty amazing.
Keep writing,
Julie
5 Days In May
Catch up with the first week of StoryADay May 2023 through the experiences of founder and writer, Julie Duffy
On this episode of the podcast I update you on how my StoryADay challenge is going this year, in the hopes that I’ll inspire you to get or keep going too!
Subscribe to the daily series here: http://stada.me/2023lives
00:00 StADa287 Five Days In May
01:14 D
04:40 Day 2
09:56 Day 3
13:41 Day 4
17:26 Day 5
21:21 Wrap up
And finally a remainder that know you can support this podcast, if you would like to, which some people have asked me about and to do that, you go to glow.fm/storyaday, and you can make a one-time or recurring donation to keep the show going. And I really appreciate your support. That’s it from me this week. Happy writing. And I’ll see you again soon.
2023 Day 6 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Sometimes we resist things because “I don’t write that genre” or “I don’t know what to do with this scenario”.
My advice? Try it anyway. You never know what you’ll discover!
2023 Day 5 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Sometimes we resist things because “I don’t write that genre” or “I don’t know what to do with this scenario”.
My advice? Try it anyway. You never know what you’ll discover!
2023 Day 4 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Today was a lot of fun.
I did things I don’t generally recommend…and I am not sorry!
2023 Day 3 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
I found today’s prompt challenging, perhaps because I was feeling the pressure to write about something weighty and important, which made me feel intimidated and stuck. But then I remembered my collection of Story Sparks, and I found inspiration in a personal experience that I gave to a different character.
I decided to write the story in third person and present tense to make it more experiential for the reader. This was different from what I had been writing the past couple of days, which were more narrative in form.
Through this experience, I was reminded of the importance of just getting started with writing. Even though parts of the prompt made me resist at first, I found that I had unknowingly incorporated them into my story.
Trusting yourself as a storyteller and putting words on the page, even if they feel choppy or imperfect, can lead to magic in your writing.
So, don’t fret about finding the perfect topic or having everything planned out. Just start writing and let the interesting stuff happen. Nobody needs to see it, and you might just end up with a big, stupid grin on your face like I did.
Keep writing, and stay tuned for tomorrow’s prompt on keeping things short!
2023 Day 2 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Day two of the challenge and I’m feeling great.
But, I made the classic mistake of not planning ahead, so I spent the first half hour doing admin instead of writing. I’m going to fix that tomorrow by planning my morning better.
The prompt today was from Mary Robinette Kowal:
“What’s in your character’s pocket?”
I used characters from my work in progress and wrote a self-contained story that I can later use as a scene in my novel. Other participants are using the challenge to push forward their work in progress in various ways.
What will YOU do?
2023 Day 1 Check in
A vlog about how my StoryADay May is going…
Rachel Swearingen Interview Part 2
^^^ Watch (captions available)
˅˅˅ listen (mp3)
This time we talk about her favorite stories of her own and the writers she admires, working in short fiction now. We also talk about the importance of community for writers, and then Rachel turns the tables on me!
(You can find Part 1 of this interview, here)
Rachel Swearingen is the author of “How to Walk on Water and other short stories” which received the New American Press Fiction Prize.
LINKS
This episode: storyaday.org/episode283
Rachel’s site: rachelswearing.com
Sign up for StoryADay May: http://storyaday.org/signup
Support the podcast: glow.fm/storyaday
Rachel Swearingen Intervew – on Writing
In this conversation with award-winning writer Rachel Swearingen we talk about how to build a writing practice that grows with you, the art of writing short and long fiction the importance of play, her residency in Berlin and about some of her short stories and how they came to be written.
^^^ Watch (captions available)
˅˅˅ listen (mp3)
Next time we’ll talk about her favorite stories of her own and the writers she admires, working in short fiction now. We also talk about the importance of community for writers, and then Rachel turns the tables on me!
Rachel Swearingen is the author of “How to Walk on Water and other short stories” which received the New American Press Fiction Prize.
LINKS
This episode: storyaday.org/episode282
Rachel’s site: rachelswearing.com
Sign up for StoryADay May: http://storyaday.org/signup
Support the podcast: glow.fm/storyaday
Creative Rebellion – Episode 275
Join us as we talk about building a productive writing practice, no matter what…..
It’s an end-of-year episode with a twist (hint: don’t want to set New Year’s Resolutions? Join the rebellious crowd!)
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
Watch video with full transcript here
LINKS:
LINKS:
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode253
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
More Writing Help
Download the free Short Story Framework and write today, not ‘some day’. Go from ‘idea’ to ‘the end’ without getting lost along the way!
Weekly writing prompts and lessons in your inbox, every Wednesday with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Take the 3-Day Challenge and write three short stories this weekend!
Where’s My Butler? An Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal about the writing life – Part 2
Join us as we talk about building a productive writing practice, no matter what…..
My conversation continues, with award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal as we discuss her new novel The Spare Man and the art of writing even in the face of challenges. Don’t miss it!
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
Watch video with full transcript here
LINKS:
LINKS:
- Part 1 of this interview, with info about the novel The Spare Man
- MaryRobinette.com
- Mary Robinette Kowal’s Patreon
- My Favorite Bit (10 best Fantine curses)
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode273
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
More Writing Help
Download the free Short Story Framework and write today, not ‘some day’. Go from ‘idea’ to ‘the end’ without getting lost along the way!
Weekly writing prompts and lessons in your inbox, every Wednesday with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Take the 3-Day Challenge and write three short stories this weekend!
An Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal about writing “The Spare Man” – Part 1
Join us as we talk about writing, cocktails and the art of writing what you don’t know…
Murder! Cocktails! Adorable service dogs!
Award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal comes to the StoryADay podcast to discuss her new novel The Spare Man and the art of writing books you’d actually want to read. Don’t miss it!
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
Watch video with full transcript here
LINKS:
LINKS
MaryRobinette.com
Mary Robinette Kowal’s Patreon
My Favorite Bit (10 best Fantine curses)
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode273
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
More Writing Help
Download the free Short Story Framework and write today, not ‘some day’. Go from ‘idea’ to ‘the end’ without getting lost along the way!
Weekly writing prompts and lessons in your inbox, every Wednesday with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Take the 3-Day Challenge and write three short stories this weekend!
It’s Annual Review Time!
Don’t be afraid!
it’s that time of year when you’re supposed to make goals, but how to do it without getting bored, scared, disappointed or terrified? I have some thoughts…
Listen to the Audio
LINKS:
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode272
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
Need something to help you get closer to your purpose while setting or assessing your goals?
Get the Annual Planning Bundle
Get writing prompts and lessons in your inbox every week with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Download the Annual Planning Bundle and always know your next, smallest step as you chase your writing goals.
Goals are Disruptive
This simple phrase changed everything for me, this week.
This was a massive (and kinda obvious) disruption to my thought processes this week. It goes deeper than simple fixes, but is much more likely to have a real impact on your writing life…and your quality of life. Enjoy!
Listen to the Audio
LINKS:
Never miss an episode: Subscribe to the Podcast
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode269
Join the discussion in the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group (SWAGr)
Need something to help you get closer to your purpose while setting or assessing your goals?
Get writing prompts and lessons in your inbox every week with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Download the Keep Writing Workbook and always know your next, smallest step as you chase your writing goals.
What Do You Do in The Pause?
I wrote this story on the blog this week, but in this week’s podcast you get a more complete version, along with some thoughts about what to do if you’re In The Pause
I wrote this story on the blog this week, but in this week’s podcast you get a more complete version, along with some thoughts about what to do if you’re In The Pause
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
LINKS:
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode268
Get writing prompts and lessons in your inbox every week with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
Download the Keep Writing Workbook and always know your next, smallest step as you chase your writing goals.
Preparing for NaNoWriMo?
Everyone you know seems to be preparing for National Novel Writers’ Month. Are you?
I’ve done a few challenges in my time (from StoryADay to NaNoWriMo) and I have some questions for you about how you’re preparing and what you’ll do instead-of/as-well-as outlining to sustain you through the month.
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
LINKS:
Link to this episode: https://storyaday.org/episode267
Get the Creative Challenge Workbook
Save The Cat Writes A Novel, Jessica Brody
Dan Wells’s 7-Point Story Structure
Romancing The Beat, Gwen Hayes
(some of these links are Amazon affiliate links, but you should feel free to look for these books wherever you like to buy/borrow books.
Join the Critique Week Waitlist
Get writing prompts and lessons in your inbox every week with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
P. S. Want to read about That Time I Met NaNoWriMo Founder Chris Baty, and how, sometimes, doing a scary thing turns out to be wonderful?
Who Do You Listen To?
In which I tell you what my critique partners said about my latest pages…
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
It’s dangerous to allow rejections, acceptances, marketing budgets or any other business-related nonsense to determine your worth as a writer.
So who should you be listening to? In this episode, I have some thoughts…
LINKS
StoryADay Critique Week: https://stada.me/critique
LINKS:
Get writing prompts and lessons in your inbox every week with the StoryAWeek Newsletter
A Prompt Podcast
In which I read you a short story prompt
Listen to the Audio
Watch the video
LINKS:
Soaring
How to soar in your writing life…and as a result, the WHOLE of your life.
Listen to the Audio
What do you need to do to help you soar in your writing life? Join me for a Lesson in Creative Thermodynamics!
LINKS:
See the illustration and leave a comment on the Lesson In Creative Thermodynamics
Fun Size Challenge Sign Up
What would you say if I told you that, by this time next week, you could change your relationship to your writing?
- Instead of wondering “can I?” you’ll be eagerly thinking “When will I…?”
- Instead of worrying if you’re ‘meant to’ be a writer, you’ll be convinced that you have stories to tell and that you are absolutely able tell them.
- Instead of wishing you were writing more, you’ll be thinking about how great it felt to have finished a story?
The StoryADay Fun-Size Challenge is back and this time it’s a 5-Day Challenge.
Five days to write your next story, to prove to yourself that you can do this, to stop worrying and start doing.
Will you join us?
The fun starts tomorrow, Saturday, Sept 10.
Everyone who signs up will receive daily tasks by email and invitations to live events and the blog community, to inspire and support you as you perform each day’s tiny task, each of which brings you closer to a finished draft.
Did I mention that by this time next week you could have a draft of a new short story complete?!
Sign up today and I’ll send you
- The Day 0 tasks: Finding Your Target
- The Short Story Framework (our ‘textbook’ for the challenge)
- The Story Sparks lesson and workbook (a shortcut to endless ideas)
- AND a link to our first live session which happens tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:30 AM (Eastern US)
We’ll start with a live lesson and writing sprint (I’ll talk for a bit, you can ask questions, then we’ll do some quiet writing breaks so you can start making progress on your story straight away).
Hope to see you there
Keep writing,
Julie
PS Your link to tomorrow’s live session will go out a couple of hours before the session so sign up now!
Endlessly Inspired
This week we take a look at the publishing industry, your goals, and how you can become endlessly inspired and creative…
Learning about the realities of the publishing industry can free you to create your own definition of success (that may or may not include traditional publishers). Step 1 towards success is to imagine your vision. Step 2 is to turn up for your writing, something the new StoryAWeek newsletter can help with!
For industry perspective: Jane Friedman’s The Hot Sheet: https://hotsheetpub.com/
Leave a comment about this episode: https://storyaday/episode259
A Writer’s Vacation
This week I talk about the creative boost I got from my recent travels, and how you can get a similar boost in your writing life, without even leaving home.
This week I talk about the creative boost I got from my recent travels, and how you can get a similar boost in your writing life, without even leaving home.
I also tease some of the upcoming events at StoryADay as we look towards the change in seasons.
Want more?
Join me at the Writer Unboxed OnConference 2022: https://writerunboxed.com/2022/08/05/writer-unboxed-onconference-community-focus/
Get the StoryADay Short Story Framework: https://storyaday.org/framework
Networking Without Nerves, a conversation with Coach Larissa Sjarbaini
Crafting a writing life isn’t all about knowing where to put commas and how to develop characters. It’s also about engaging with other humans. This week I’m in conversation with Larissa Sjarbaini, a high performance coach, about how to do that and why you might want to, even if you’re an extreme introvert. And stay tuned for an opportunity to develop your own game plan for a writing life
LINKS
Set Yourself Up For Success sign up now!